> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.nextedy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Licensing and User Access

> This tutorial explains the Nextedy GANTT licensing model and guides you through configuring user access so your team members can view and edit Gantt charts.

export const LastReviewed = ({date}) => {
  if (!date) return null;
  const formatted = new Date(`${date}T00:00:00Z`).toLocaleDateString("en-US", {
    year: "numeric",
    month: "long",
    day: "numeric",
    timeZone: "UTC"
  });
  return <p className="mt-10 text-sm text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 not-prose">
      Last reviewed on {formatted}
    </p>;
};

## What You Will Achieve

After completing this tutorial, you will have:

* An understanding of the Gantt licensing model (evaluation, subscription, perpetual)
* The `nextedy_gantt_users` user group configured with the correct members
* All team members with the appropriate level of Gantt access (edit or read-only)

## Prerequisites

* [Gantt installed](/gantt/getting-started/installation) on your Polarion server
* Polarion **Global Administration** access for user management
* A valid license file (or running in evaluation mode)

## Step 1: Understand the License Types

Gantt offers the following license models:

| License Type     | Description                                    | Duration                  |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Evaluation**   | Full functionality for testing                 | 30 days from installation |
| **Subscription** | Annual license with updates included           | 1 year (renewable)        |
| **Perpetual**    | One-time purchase (upgrade licenses available) | Permanent                 |

<Note title="Subscription Model">
  New licenses are available as subscriptions only. Perpetual licenses are available for existing customers as upgrade licenses.
</Note>

The table above describes the **commercial** models (how you acquire a license). For the **technical** license-file types and states the product recognizes -- Evaluation (Primary), Evaluation (Secondary), Perpetual, and Test -- and their expiry behavior, see [License Types and Evaluation Periods](/gantt/reference/license-types).

The license status is visible on the **Nextedy GANTT > License** administration page and in the Gantt widget footer. When the license is invalid or expired, a license panel appears at the top of the Gantt chart with a link to obtain a valid license.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/none-17b4493f/DDjWgCW2DWY5biNv/gantt/diagrams/getting-started/licensing/diagram-1.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=DDjWgCW2DWY5biNv&q=85&s=412b9b1a3c3c3342124d44f21ddd07d1" alt="diagram" style={{ maxWidth: "820px", width: "100%" }} width="820" height="200" data-path="gantt/diagrams/getting-started/licensing/diagram-1.svg" />
</Frame>

## Step 2: Install the License File

If you received a production license, install it either way:

* **Upload from the admin page (no restart):** open **Polarion Administration > Nextedy GANTT > License** and drag-and-drop the license file onto the drop zone (or click it to select the file).
* **Or place it on the server:** copy `gantt_lic.json` to `[POLARION_INSTALL]/polarion/license/`, then restart the Polarion server (or reload licenses from the admin page).

Then open **Polarion Administration > Nextedy GANTT > License** to verify the license status. The page summarizes the seat usage (for example, "set up for 30 server users") and shows the license details (type, expiry, maintenance expiry, licensee).

<Warning title="Evaluation Expiry">
  After the 30-day evaluation period expires, the extension is automatically disabled. If you need more evaluation time, contact Nextedy to receive an extended evaluation license.
</Warning>

## Step 3: Configure the User Group

Gantt uses a dedicated Polarion user group to control which users have edit access to the Gantt chart. Users not in this group see the Gantt in read-only (Reviewer) mode.

1. Navigate to **Global Administration > User Management > Users**
2. Locate the group named `nextedy_gantt_users`
3. Add all users who need **edit access** to this group

<Tip title="Group Creation">
  If the `nextedy_gantt_users` group does not exist, create it manually in the Polarion user management interface. The group name must be exactly `nextedy_gantt_users`.
</Tip>

## Step 4: Reload Licenses

After updating the user group:

1. Navigate to **Polarion Administration > Nextedy GANTT > License**
2. This page reloads all active licenses and applies the updated user access rights

Users in the `nextedy_gantt_users` group now have edit access. All other users see the Gantt in read-only mode.

## Understanding Access Levels

| Access Level | Can View | Can Edit | Can Save | User Group Required             |
| ------------ | -------- | -------- | -------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Editor**   | Yes      | Yes      | Yes      | Member of `nextedy_gantt_users` |
| **Reviewer** | Yes      | No       | No       | Not required                    |

When a user has only Reviewer access, the Gantt chart displays in read-only mode. The Edit button is hidden, and task bars cannot be dragged, resized, or modified.

<Note title="Automatic Read-Only">
  The Gantt chart also enters read-only mode automatically when viewing a Polarion baseline snapshot, regardless of user group membership.
</Note>

## Step 5: Verify User Access

1. Log in as a user who is a member of `nextedy_gantt_users`
2. Open a Gantt chart page
3. Confirm the **Edit** button is visible in the toolbar
4. Enter edit mode and verify you can drag task bars

Then verify the restricted access:

1. Log in as a user who is **not** in the `nextedy_gantt_users` group
2. Open the same Gantt chart page
3. Confirm the Gantt displays in read-only mode with no Edit button

## License and Access Summary

| Component                   | Location                                 | Purpose                         |
| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `gantt_lic.json`            | `[POLARION_INSTALL]/polarion/license/`   | License file                    |
| `nextedy_gantt_users` group | Global Administration > Users            | Edit access control             |
| License page                | Administration > Nextedy GANTT > License | License status and reload       |
| License panel               | Gantt widget header                      | Warning when license is invalid |

## Multi-Node Deployment

If you run Polarion in a multi-node (clustered) deployment, the same license file can be used on both nodes. Copy `gantt_lic.json` to the license directory on each server node.

## Troubleshooting Access Issues

If a user cannot edit the Gantt chart despite being in the `nextedy_gantt_users` group:

1. Navigate to the **Nextedy GANTT > License** page to reload licenses
2. Verify the user is listed in the `nextedy_gantt_users` group in Global Administration
3. Ask the user to log out and log back in to refresh their session
4. If issues persist, contact [support@nextedy.com](mailto:support@nextedy.com)

## Next Steps

* [Set Up a Basic Gantt Chart](/gantt/getting-started/setup-basic-gantt) -- configure your first Gantt widget
* [Update to the Latest Version](/gantt/getting-started/update-gantt) -- keep your installation current
* Explore the [FAQ](/gantt/faq/index) for common licensing questions

<LastReviewed date="2026-07-07" />